Introduction
Nursing is a demanding profession, but it allows helping people and making the world a better place. In this paper, I would like to share some experiences I had during my clinical practice. I will discuss a difficulty I faced and a new intervention I observed.
A Difficulty Area
What I had difficulty with within my experience as a nurse was stress management. During my studies, I learned the procedures well. We were taught the basics and theoretical knowledge any nurse should know. We were instructed from the beginning that stress is a vital part of the profession and we have to be ready for that. To my mind, you cannot prepare for stress even if you know it will happen. When I was administering medication according to the doctor’s instructions, I was afraid of making a mistake as I was holding the life and well-being of a patient in my hands. One of the recent studies in the sphere acknowledges the problem and suggests that the intervention techniques are underresearched and the best solution so far is personal help from experienced nurses on the team (Pulido‐Martos, Augusto‐Landa, Lopez‐Zafra, 2012).
A New Intervention
The new practice in the field that I have learned about was evidence-based nursing (EBN). It means that professional nurses use expert knowledge in combination with their experience to provide the best care for patients. I consider this a positive change and an advancement in the sphere as theoretical knowledge is now being more thoroughly studied and applied to daily practice. According to a study by Melnyk, Fineout-Overholt, Gallagher-Ford, and Kaplan (2012), EBN is approved and used by professionals and brings considerable results. In the future, I also plan to implement it in my daily practice.
Conclusion
Overall, despite the difficulties I faced as a nurse, the experience was positive. The new development in the form of EBN inspired me to further my studies. I wish to continue mastering this profession and deliver high-quality care to those in need.
References
Melnyk, B. M., Fineout-Overholt, E., Gallagher-Ford, L., & Kaplan, L. (2012). The state of evidence-based practice in US nurses: Critical implications for nurse leaders and educators. Journal of Nursing Administration, 42(9), 410-417.
Pulido‐Martos, M., Augusto‐Landa, J. M., & Lopez‐Zafra, E. (2012). Sources of stress in nursing students: A systematic review of quantitative studies. International Nursing Review, 59(1), 15-25.